The project addresses a key area within HEV systems by developing a low-cost Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) for mass production that can achieve a significant reduction in transport related CO2. The consortium is led by a high volume vehicle OEM and includes a global materials supplier, SME's and an academic institute specialising in flywheel technology. The consortium will develop a novel system with low run down losses delivered into a compact package space suitable for incorporation into the vehicle architecture. The project will consist of detailed design, prototyping and test stages and will be carried out by consortium partners who will require the support and development of UK suppliers allowing for the transfer of key skills. OEM's will support both SME and academia to develop their capability to support the automotive industry in a potential high volume environment.

The UK Government 10 point plan has committed the UK to banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2035\. Delivery of these targets can only be achieved by significant customer uptake of electric vehicles (eV's). Mass-adoption of electric vehicles (eVs) is dependent, however on the development of affordable, sustainable batteries that meet the technical requirements of end-users. Currently, OEM's must choose between "high performance" or "low cost" forcing the end-user to compromise between range, power and battery life when choosing an eV. Lithium-metal-based solid state batteries (SSBs) could eliminate the compromise between cost and performance for EV adoption. Lithium metal electrodes are needed to guarantee high performance and represent a step-change versus lithium-ion. The Lithium Metal electrode High Throughput screening (LiMHiT) project aims to address this opportunity by reducing the processing costs associated with fabrication of negative electrodes for lithium-metal all-solid-state battery (SSB) cells. Consequently, reducing the overall cost of eV ownership and eliminating the performance / cost trade-off for customers, accelerating eV uptake. The main output will be a realistic cost/performance assessment for Li electrode fabrication led by end-user (hence customer) requirements. Another key output would be establishing effective partnerships and knowledge to develop a UK-based all-solid-state prototyping facility and ultimately deliver a world class SSB mass-manufactured by 2027\. Delivery of this would significantly contribute to UK environmental targets and support the creation of new jobs across the supply chain.

NextAD project will advance the UK supply chain by applying Autonomous Drive System technologies within urban residential roads and rural roads as demand for service and commercialisation grows. By utilising Autonomous Vehicle functionality, we can deliver a safer and securer drive for its occupants, whilst offering a commercially viable platform. This will allow for the UK OEMs and supply chain to target early commercial self-driving vehicle opportunities by solving current and real-world technological challenges in the UK. Consequently, this will reveal technology gaps in the UK which can then be exploited by the UK supply chain By providing specifications, NextAD will support the anchoring of capability in the UK by building a supply chain ecosystem with aligned objectives, and visibility of performance requirements and needs of OEMs and their multi- operational design domains autonomous drive systems. This will ultimately lead to increased economic performance, highly skilled jobs growth and competitiveness for the UK. The OEM involved in the project will be able to deliver autonomous drive systems and technologies supported by a UK supply chain, manufactured in a plant based in the UK securing skills and jobs in the UK for years to come. Additionally, supplier partners will solve key technological barriers which are preventing mass commercialisation, by using their expertise in Cyber Security, Interoperability, Pedestrian interaction, and other previous knowledge of how autonomous drive systems works.

The High Energy Density Battery (HEDB) project will bring academic and industrial research together to deliver productivity improvements at Nissan's battery manufacturing plant in Sunderland. NMUK already operates one of the most productive car plants in Europe, and has brought hundreds of millions of pounds of inward investment to the UK, including the opening of the Nissan LEAF battery manufacturing plant in Sunderland in March 2013. This project aims to deliver technical and productivity improvements which will enhance both the cost and range of Nissan Electric Vehicles - resulting in reduced EU CO2 emissions, increased employment in the UK, and increased exports (of batteries and vehicles to Europe). Alongside this, the project will create an automated manufacturing facility at UK SME Hyperdrive which will use Nissan battery cells to create battery packs for non-competing applications such as bus, truck, and industrial applications. This new supply chain will create jobs and economic value, and will make viable the electrification of vehicles in sectors where this is currently not economically feasible. This will result in improved air quality and CO2 emissions.

Motor manufacturers are focussing on delivering innovative products which allow reductions in CO2 emissions whilst adequately serving their customers' purpose. This project will study the feasibility of modifying the driving posture to achieve a reduction in vehicle mass and reducing CO2 emissions. The challenge is to maintain postural support and comfort requirements through ergonomic research and experimentation. This will ensure that the seating system does not compromise the occupant's ability to comfortably control a vehicle (using current standard control systems) and meet modern-day expectations for vehicle safety systems.